I WISH to welcome the proposed legislation to cut state funding for all political parties unless at least 30pc of their general election candidates are women.

At a time in our history where women are adequately represented in almost all areas of Irish life -- except in our national Parliament -- I feel this proposed legislation is long overdue.

However, allied to this proposal, I would also like to see an overhaul of the workings of Dail Eireann in order to make it a more family-friendly environment, and one that recognises the unique challenges facing women in the workplace.

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